15 of Cambridge’s most surprising and successful alumni of all time

"Borat" star Sacha Baron Cohen studied history at Christ's College, Cambridge.
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The 800-year-old University of Cambridge is an iconic institution of education, not just in Great Britain but also around the world.

John Milton — Christ's College, 1629

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The "Paradise Lost" author ranked fourth in his year of graduates. Not a fan of his Cambridge peers though, Milton said of his fellow students: "They thought themselves gallant men, and I thought them fools."

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Charles Darwin — Christ's College, 1831

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Often coined the father of modern biology, Darwin was sent to Cambridge by his father to study the Arts, in the hope that he might one day become an Anglican country parson.

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Alan Turing — King's College, 1934

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"The Imitation Game" protagonist unsurprisingly read maths at Cambridge — he was elected a college fellow on the strength of his dissertation.

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Sir David Attenborough — Clare College, 1947

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The infamous broadcaster has collected 32 honourary degrees in addition to his bachelors in natural sciences from Clare College.

Charles, Prince of Wales — Trinity College, 1970

After graduating with a 2:2 in archaeology, anthropology and history, Charles became the first heir to gain a university degree.

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Arianna Huffington — Girton College, 1972

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The Huffington Post co-founder and editor-in-chief was the first foreign (and third female) president of the Cambridge Union.

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Emma Thompson — Newham College, 1980

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Thompson was the first woman to be invited to Cambridge's prestigious comedy club, "Footlights," where she earned the nickname "Emma Talented." The nickname was well-deserved — she has since become the only person in history to win an Oscar for both acting and writing.

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Carol Vordemon — Sidney Sussex College, 1981

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The ex-"Countdown" presenter had a shaky career at university, joining the famous "Nines Club" by getting a third in all three years of her course in engineering,

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Lord Bilimoria – Sidney Sussex College, 1988

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The British Indian mogul came up with his multimillion-pound Cobra beer business while studying law at Cambridge - he wanted a beer to go with his curry that was refreshing like lager but smooth like ale.

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Sacha Baron Cohen — Christ's College, 1993

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The "Ali G" and "Borat" actor began his drama career at Cambridge - while studying history, he starred in a number of theatre performances.

Naomie Harris — Pembroke College, 1998

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The Moneypenny actress suffered from culture shock while studying social and political sciences at Cambridge, she told The Mirror: "They talked about Eton and skiing and here was I, this black girl from North London."